Alabama football notes: Do Crimson Tide players hate Auburn? They were asked directly

View full sizeSenior wide receiver Brandon Gibson suggests that trash talk between Alabama's offense and defense will escalate Tuesday when the Crimson Tide has its first preseason practice in full pads. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Alabama freshman running back Dee Hart returned to practice Tuesday after an absence for undisclosed personal reasons.

Hart wore a white jersey, indicating he has been cleared for contact. He later changed jerseys and wore a black (non-contact) jersey.

Hart went through running back drills during the media viewing period and appeared sharp with his runs and strong hitting a blocking bag. He has been recovering from offseason knee surgery.

Coach Nick Saban has said Hart was dealing with personal issues, would return to practice once those were sorted out and likely would not play this season, although he did not rule out the possibility.

JONES RETURNS:Barrett Jones resumed practicing at left tackle this week after sitting out the past two while recovering from what he described as nagging injuries.

The latest was a high ankle sprain he suffered in a 9-6 overtime loss to LSU.

Jones missed last year's Iron Bowl because of an injury, and said he feels good after two days of practice this week.

"Every time I do see that game, it hurts a little bit more," he said. "I definitely tried to rehab hard to get back for this one."

This week, Jones was named a finalist for the Outland Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top interior lineman.

"I think I've been really blessed to play with four really good offensive linemen, and also great running backs that make me look a lot better than I really am," he said.

DYNAMIC DUO: Alabama linebackers Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are two of six finalists for the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation's top linebacker. Other finalists include Nebraska's Lavonte David, Georgia's Jarvis Jones, Boston College's Luke Kuechly and Notre Dame's Manti Te'o.

Hightower and Upshaw are also finalists for the Rotary Lombardi Award, and Hightower, a junior, learned Monday he was a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to college football's defensive player of the year.

"It shows everybody we're both competitors," Hightower said. "It means a lot whenever you can have two guys on the same team up for the same award regardless of what award it is. Courtney and I have been close every since we got here. We're like brothers."

NO HATE: A couple of Crimson Tide players were informed that Auburn players said they hated Alabama during interviews this week.

So how do Alabama players feel about Auburn?

"I strongly dislike Auburn," Hightower said. "I don't want to say I hate 'em, but I'm definitely hyped up to play against these guys. Every year it's always been a real good game. Those guys have been on a roll. ... We're just gonna have to come in and play our game."

Asked directly by a reporter if he hated Auburn, wide receiver Brandon Gibson replied, "I'm not gonna say that word. I don't hate anybody. I like competition, fierce competition. It definitely makes you work hard. It makes you become a better person as well as a better player. We're just gonna come out and compete on Saturday, no hate about it."

INJURY REPORT: Nose guard Josh Chapman worked with the defensive linemen Tuesday after resting a season-long knee injury last week.

"He's looking great," Hightower said. "He's actually moving a little bit better than he has in the past couple of weeks."

Also working with the defensive linemen was end Jesse Williams, who was limited against Georgia Southern due to food poisoning. He also is recovering from a shoulder injury suffered against Mississippi State.

Wide receiver Darius Hanks practiced with his ankle taped.

"He comes in and works hard," Gibson said. "He's got a positive attitude about everything. ...We've been close since the first day we walked on campus. I try to get in his ear, give him a little word of motivation and he runs with it. ...He's waiting to get back out there Saturday."